Creation of a 21st Century Learning Resource Centre at Blackpool and The Fylde College

The Project — Planning and Purpose

Learning Resources services on the college’s main campus at Ashfield Road, Bispham were formerly organised through a network of centres. Drop-in computer centres were based in the three teaching blocks to serve the needs of the academic Schools in those buildings. There was also a central library area which provided the main collection of books plus some computers which accessed the online catalogue and online resources. This area was old-fashioned and unattractive to students. Book issues and the use of this central area were falling.

Staff were organised in two teams – one which ran the computer centres, the other based in the library. The library team included staff on two separate grades – those who worked on the counter and those with higher-scaled posts who liaised with academic Schools and delivered user education. Organising rotas took up a lot of staff time - particularly if any staff were off sick.

In 2004 changes in senior management personnel – a new Principal and Vice Principal responsible for curriculum – prompted a wide-ranging debate about the future of the service. This was set against a background of widespread refurbishment for the Bispham campus as a whole. The Head of Learning Resources undertook a number of visits through 2005/6 to establish good practice in other institutions, both FE and HE. This led to links with a Glasgow-based design agency called CuriousOranj who designed a learning café and then the interior of the Saltire Centre at Glasgow Caledonian University . CuriousOranj also had substantial experience in designing public libraries.

From 2007 to 2008 the college reorganised so that FE courses are now concentrated on the main campus at Bispham and the majority of HE courses are based at the college’s Central Blackpool Campus.

There are now over 2000 16 – 18 year old students following FE courses at Bispham with a smaller number of adult students on HE courses – just under 400 in total.

(http://www.blackpool.ac.uk)

It was decided that the best way to serve the needs of these students was to create one centrally-based Resource Centre. CuriousOranj then carried out a major piece of research with students, academic staff and learning resources staff. Students requested an area where they could have a coffee and a chat as well as working. They felt that the existing furniture in the centres was institutional and not suited to either individual or group work. The report recommended a number of different spaces in which services could be zoned. (Report)

Aims and objectives

Changes in technology offered the opportunity for a radical redesign of the service. The project had the following objectives -

to create a 21^st Century Learning Resource Centre through

• The redesign of the Learning Resources service on the main Bispham campus
• A full staff restructure to support the new service
• The introduction of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) self-service
• The introduction of a self-booking system for computers
• Provision of shelf-ready stock
• Expansion of online information through further purchase of datasets and the introduction of e-books
• Using electronic systems to communicate with students rather than paper-based leaflets
• Experimenting with social networking software
• Rethinking the existing user education programme
• Improving the student experience of online searching.

Self-service for the issue and return of books has been around in libraries for a number of years. Indeed the service had utilised one of the earliest models. Nicknamed ‘Metal Mickey’ by staff, many problems arose including barcodes in the wrong place and links with the security system or the Library Management system breaking down. It was difficult to decide where to site the machine in relation to the library counter.

Self-service based on RFID technology is one that works. Borrowers no longer have to open each book and place it carefully on the machine. Touch screen instructions are simple and easy to follow. The college was the first FE institution to introduce this technology.

Self-service provides an opportunity to introduce radical changes into libraries but change on this scale is sometimes difficult to predict. At an early stage, Fiona Emberton of Embervision was employed as a consultant to assist in identifying what could change, how this would affect staff roles and the resulting design. Fiona has a joint library and retail background. As a result of her advice, the Head of Learning Resources visited a central Manchester shop, part of a national chain, to look at retail practise.

The new centre was designed to provide a number of different zones for different learning styles

• A social learning area providing fast access computers, comfortable seating, fiction and magazines. Music from i-Tunes is played in this area
• Computers on a high bar overlooking a garden area
• Stock arranged in subject areas for easy retrieval
• Study tables for group study
• A classroom for library inductions, for student groupwork and practising presentations
• A reconstructed mezzanine floor for the main computer area - most computers provided in groups of four giving plenty of room for students to work
• A quiet study area.
• Electronic noticeboards

All computer areas, plus the main study area provide moveable height desking for any students who use wheelchairs. A completely new service, the lending of laptops to any student working within the Resource Centre, was introduced. 

Two self-service kiosks which also take payment for fines were positioned in the entrance area. The library counter was replaced by a number of much smaller information points throughout the centre.

A further part of the design process was a branding exercise. This resulted in the naming of the centre (chosen by students) plus a new logo and staff uniforms. The Loop opened in October 2007. In its first year of operation, a MySpace page was available on the college website - students could recommend music to be played in the centre and items for the fiction collection.

A much flatter staff structure was introduced. Apart from the Team Leader, all staff are on the same grade sharing the same range of duties. All staff liaise with their own academic Schools carrying out user inductions plus purchasing and organising relevant resources. Everyone works on the floor helping students.

Staff development for the new Loop team included a two day induction with Alastair Mitchell-Baker of Tricordant, the management consultancy who helped with the staffing structure. The team reviewed the purpose of the centre, discussing team values and possible quality measurements. (The Loop purpose and team values)

Through the development of the new centre and the forming of the new team, there has been an opportunity to revisit and revitalise the service’s programme for user education. Members of the team have different work backgrounds, some with long experience of libraries but others more experienced in helping students use business software and applications or in learning support. A comprehensive programme of staff training and development has covered library processes including the uploading of catalogue records, provision of information sources, referencing, plagiarism and using Moodle, the college Virtual Learning Environment (which is run from within the Learning Resources Unit). Current work includes analysing a reference enquiry. A two day course on presentation skills is planned for Autumn 2009.

An Action Research Project run during the academic year 2008/9 has included a member of The Loop team plus the Deputy Head of Learning Resources working with staff from the School of Health , Care and Early Years. This project has evaluated current practice in user education from Level 3 through to Degree level. The project has identified the need for short training sessions at key points through the academic year rather than all-encompassing hour-long skills sessions.

(Project final report and Presentation)

The service has worked with Iain Wallace, Digital Services Development Librarian for Spoken Word services at Glasgow Caledonian University over a number of years looking at the opportunities offered by different types of social networking software for a modern library service. It is increasingly viable to de-couple elements of Library Management Systems. This work has resulted in the adoption of Ex Libris Primo as a bolt-on OPAC to sit on top of the SirsiDynix Horizon system. Systems from four leading library suppliers were considered. Primo will be available for September 2009 and will allow students to search across the full range of information resources held by the college, both electronic and paper-based. The college is also an early adopter of Shibboleth so for the first time there will be a single sign-on to all systems. Primo will also allow users to keep up-to-date with new resources using RSS feeds. It is planned to embed Primo at all levels within Moodle.

Monitoring Procedures

The monitoring of developments within The Loop sits within the normal quality systems of the Learning Resources Unit and the College. The service prepares an annual Self Assessment Report with a linked Quality Improvement Plan. Termly Quality Meetings are held within the Unit to monitor the QIP and to receive statistical reports and analysis from all parts of the service. Unit staff sit on School Quality meetings as of right. (SAR 2008, QIP 2008/9, Minutes of Unit Quality Meetings: Dec 2008, April 2009 )

The college holds termly Student Forum meetings on its main campuses. These meetings enabled students on the Bispham Campus to give early and continuing feedback on the development of the new centre. The Head of Learning Resources had taken the decision to allow food and drink throughout the new centre but this proved to be a disaster - the centre was covered in debris every day after lunch and the new upholstery needed regular steam cleaning. A series of lunchtime meetings with students negotiated a new guide to behaviour. (Guide to Student Behaviour in The Loop, notes from meetings)

The centre is 20% busier than all the previous centres put together. Silent study space however is limited. If the college builds a new campus the service will be expanded to provide silent computing and a more extensive silent study area.

The Loop opened in October 2007 – slightly late due to the complexities of the refurbishment process and the time-consuming task of putting the stock into subject areas. There was no time at this point to carry out initial inductions. A number of difficulties then occurred throughout the centre’s first year of operation including occurrences of undesirable student behaviour. Full induction sessions were held in September 2008. These created a much better understanding of how the centre should be used. The Loop staff also produced a virtual tour demonstrating the different zones and services. This proved very popular. (The Loop Virtual Tour)

The work with Fiona Emberton led to the use of a different kind of quality audit – judging the space and its use from the customer’s point of view. This has been carried out once a term during the academic year 2008/9, with the final audit by a colleague from Blackpool Public Library service. (Audit summary, Quality Audits)

A post-occupancy survey has been carried out May-June 2009. In keeping with the service’s commitment to social networking, Bebo was chosen. This is the only social network site where the results of a survey can be automatically analysed. Unfortunately, just as the younger students moved on from MySpace, they have now moved on from Bebo. This has resulted in low take-up. However, staff have visited classes with paper versions of the questionnaire. This also gave non-users of the centre the chance to comment.

As a result of feedback, Adobe Reader has been introduced on all laptops. Requests for more computers have also been received. This is difficult due to lack of space but the number of laptops available will be expanded.

Outcomes and Benefits

Students now have a Learning Resource Centre which supports and encourages their independent learning skills. They can choose to work in one of a number of environments where Loop staff are always present to support and help them. If they do not require help, they can borrow resources or book a computer on their own. They are surrounded by inspiring quotes on the walls as they study.

In order to attract students who do not regularly use the centre, live music sessions are arranged for occasional lunchtimes with local performers or college Performing Arts students.  

The Loop Student Survey June 2009

(Loop Evaluation Survey)

It is a pleasant place to come and chill, study and to have fun . Another positive about the loop is that the people here are very friendly and easy to get to know. More quotations from recent people such as “If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention” (Sister Act 2).
Amy Houghton, Health and Social Care

I have really enjoyed working in the loop because everything that is needed is here. Also when you walk in there are PCs for social networking and there are comfy chairs where you can sit and talk.
Kimberly Bentley, Health and Social Care

Always has computers
Staff are helpful and friendly
Their (sic) are places to relax and read magazines and go on social networks
Rachel Formby, Forensic Science

I love the Loop’s look, but it is also functional and students come in to socialise (face-to-face or online), do their homework, check the latest video on Youtube, etc. The Loop looks friendly and not intimidating like the old library but it is still possible to work in there. I mark my tests there because I can’t do it in the office. The staff are extremely helpful.
Jorge Ulloa-Medina, PGCE

I think the loop is very easy to use.
Danny Fisher, Public

 I enjoy the facilities at the loop and the staff are very helpful and polite.
Peter Greenhill, Catering

I like The Loop because there are lots of nice things like books about dogs.
Access student

Pre entry Gateway Adults created bookmarks for national Book Week which Gwen displayed and gave out. They felt very proud to work with Gwen and staff at The Loop to promote the week and were delighted to be highlighted by the display.

We have had a theme of Spain this year. Our learners have been welcomed in The Loop to do their own research on the theme. Staff are always welcoming and helpful in the Loop , ensuring people of all abilities are safe, comfortable and supported if needed.
Maggie Hilton, Curriculum Leader, School of Access and Continuing Education

 (Original documentation available)

Dissemination and the Future

There has already been a great deal of interest in the project due to its early adoption of RFID technology. Visits in the first year of operation ran at almost one per week. Often, Heads of service have visited and then sent their entire team for a further visit. (List of visitors)

Just a quick note to thank you for your time and hospitality yesterday. It was greatly appreciated and we have certainly come away with a huge number of ideas to follow up. I’m really quite excited!
Corinne Walker, Learning Resources Manager, Oldham Sixth Form College

Just wanted to say thanks again to you, your team and Chris McAllister for giving up your time and allowing us to visit The Loop. The day was insightful and we have gone away with lots of ideas and information to take back to our team.
Lucie Barnes, Acting Learning Centre Manager, Birkenhead Sixth Form College

I visited The Loop in March 2008 primarily to see the RFID selfservice kiosks and how they had affected the interior design of the LRC. I came away with several ideas, particularly the use of colour and the different study areas but mainly the visit gave me the courage to think “outside the box” while planning my own new LRC.
Karen Myatt, Learning Resources and Support Manager, Reaseheath College

Due to this level of demand, a conference was organised in association with Intellident (self-service system suppliers) which attracted 50 delegates from all sectors. (Publicity, delegate list)

The Head of Learning Resources has spoken at an RFID Conference in Glasgow run by JISC Regional Support Centres and also at a second Intellident conference in May 2009. (Presentation)

The staff restructure process has been written up as a case study on the QIA website. (http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=168007)

The experience of creating and running The Loop has contributed to the design of a second new Learning Resource Centre on the college’s HE campus. The Central Loop is on the first floor of a new Hub Building at Central Campus. The Hub provides a number of services for students including student services support and refectory facilities. Using a different interior design company – Nomad Research, Design and Consultancy – self-service and its supporting staff point are now encompassed in a self-service bench. A quieter help desk for in-depth enquiries is situated on the other side of the centre. (Central Loop plan)

The college is the first FE college to adopt Primo - working with Ex Libris as an early adopter of their new Unified Resource Management Library System could follow.

The college now offers courses in computer gaming. It is planned to work with some of these students to develop a game relating to using Loop services.

A number of e-learning-related projects are planned for the coming academic year. The Unit is leading the development of an experimental learning space at the back of the Loop . Academic staff will be encouraged to use this space on a regular timetabled basis or for one-off sessions. The team will also be promoting video-conferencing equipment which is now available in The Loop classroom.

The college is starting to develop online and distance learning components for some of its courses. The Unit supports these developments through Moodle, Mahara and now Elluminate which provides a virtual classroom for up to 25 students. A number of projects will be trialling Elluminate in the coming year.

Images plotting the development of The Loop project can be found on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/8725115@N06/sets/.